Valve apparatus with float means



A. E. ARMSTRONG VALVE APPARATUS WITH FLOAT MEANS Feb. 21, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1964 NGJSIU MOWWQNEEOU INVENTOR. Adam 5. Arms from ATTORNEY Mmm ZMQZOU Feb. 21, 1967 A. E. ARMSTRONG 3,304,738

VALVE APPARATUS WITH FLOAT MEANS Filed June 26, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Adam 5 14/7775/70/77 ATTO RNEY United States Patent VALVE APPARATUS WITH FLUAT MEANS Adam E. Armstrong, Three Rivers, Mich, assignor to Armstrong Machine Works, Three Rivers, Mich. Filed June 26, 1964, er. No. 378,146 19 Claims. ((Jl. 62218) This invention relates to a valve apparatus adapted to be used for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, such as large volumes of steam condensate or refrigeration fluids.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a valve apparatus adapted to be used for handling large volumes of flashing fluids which apparatus is highly efficient.

Second, to provide a circulating control apparatus adapted for use in connection with refrigerating machines and the like which has relatively few movable parts and at the same time is automatic in its operation.

Third, to provide such an apparatus which may be economically produced, in which the valve means constitutes a unit and may be readily installed as such.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is -a side elevational view of a circulation control mechanism embodying my invention shown in operative relation to a chiller unit, compressor unit and condenser unit, these being conventionally illustrated. It will be understood that the parts are not shoWn in their relative proportions other than the valve mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in vertical section illustrating the relation of certain of the parts of FIG. 1 and structural details of the valve unit, the circulating control valve being shown in open position by full lines and in closed position by dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical section of the flow control valve with the flow control valve shown in closed position.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating structural details of one of the regulating valve units.

In the accompanying drawing the unit 1 designated chiller, the unit 2 designated compressor and the unit 3 designated condenser are conventionally illustrated. The units 1 and 2 are connected by the conduit 4 conventionally illustrated, and the compressor and condenser units 2 and 3 are connected by a conduit 5, also conventionally illustrated, see FIG. 1.

The condenser 3 has a discharge conduit 6 provided with a coupling flange 7 at its lower end which is connected to the flange 8 on the upper end of the liquid discharge conduit 9 which has an angularly disposed lower end portion 10 provided with a coupling flange 11. The conduit 9 is connected to the chiller unit 1 through a circulation control valve mechanism comprising a first body member 12 which has a coupling flange 13 connected to the flange 11 on its inlet end and a coupling flange 14 on its discharge end connected to the flange 15 on the conduit 16 connecting the valve unit to the chiller unit. Bolts 17 are conventionally illustrated and gaskets 18 are provided with these couplings.

The second valve body member 13 is provided with an end flange like portion 20 which is secured to the body member 12 by the bolts 21. These body members provide a valve chamber 22. The body member 19 includes a vertically disposed valve guide cylinder 23 and a float chamber 24, the float chamber and the valve guide cylinder 23 being connected by the conduit or passage 25. The end member 26 of the float chamber 24 is detachably se- 3,334,738 Patented Feb. 21, 1967 cured thereto by the bolts 27. The end member 26 is provided with an outlet 28 connected by the conduit 29 to the discharge conduit or passage 30. The inlet passage 31 has an upwardly directed inner end portion discharging through the valve seat member 32 into the valve chamber 22.

The main or flow control valve 33 is provided with a plunger like body portion 34 reciprocatingly mounted in the guide cylinder 23 and said body portion is provided with a seal member 35 on its upper end coacting with the walls of said guide cylinder. This body portion 34 of the valve is, in eflect, a piston on which the valve 33 is mounted. The valve has a seal unit 36 mounted on the body portion 34 and said :seal unit functions to seal the lower end of the guide cylinder 23 when the valve is in open position, as shown in FIG. 2, and functions as a shield member for the valve when the valve is in its closed position as in FIG. 3. A valve seat member 37 is provided at the upper end of the passage 25. A valve 38 is urged against the seat member 37 by the coil spring 39. The valve 38 is movable upwardly away from the seat member 37 to permit fluid to flow from the conduit 25 into the float chamber 24, but not in the reverse direction. The outlet 28 of the float chamber is provided with a valve seat 40 and a coacting pivotally mounted valve 41 is operatively connected to the inverted cup-shaped float 42. The float 42 is open at its lower end. The float 42 has a small vent 55 at its upper end. The outlet from the passage 25 opens into the float when the float is in seated position, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

As stated, the condenser discharges into the upright conduit 9 which is connected to the inlet 31 of the valve chamber 22. A conduit 43 is connected at its upper end to the conduit 9 by means of a coupling member 44 which has a screen 45 therein, the inner end of the coupling member 46 being detachable to permit removal of the screen or the cleaning of the screen should that be desirable. The conduit 43 is connected to the passage 25 by a regulating valve unit, the body member 47 of whch is threaded into the outer end of the passage 48 which opens into the passage 25. The conduit 43 is connected to the body member 47 by means of the coupling 49 engaged with the upwardly projecting threaded inlet 50. The valve body member has an outlet portion 51 threaded into the passage 48. The flow regulating valve 52 is threaded into the body member 47 of this valve unit for adjustment toward and away from the valve seat 54 to control the rate of flow of the fluid into the outlet portion 51. A removable closure or cap 43 is provided for the outer end of the regulating valve 52.

It should be understood that the applicants apparatus may be used as a liquid control valve for refrigerating systems or as a steam trap apparatus.

The operation of the valve mechanism is as follows. The main valve 33 is closed as shown in FIGURE 3 when the conduit 9 contains gas or vapor under pressure communicating with the inlet to the coupling 44. The gas or vapor flows through the coupling 44, the conduit 43 and the regulating valve unit into the conduit 25. This pressurized gas or vapor lifts the valve 38 off the seat member 37 and flows into the inverted cup-shaped float 42 and raises same so that the valve 41 engages the valve seat 40 and closes the conduit 29. The pressure of the gas or vapor also acts on the upper end of the body portion 34. Since the area of the upper end of the body portion 34 is greater than the area of the opening in the valve seat 32, a net downwardly acting force is applied to hold the valve 33 in its lower position in sealing engagement with the valve seat.

When the level of the liquid, such as condensate, in the conduit 9 rises to a position above the inlet to the coupling 44, the flow of gas or vapor to conduit 43 and thence to the conduit is shut off. Liquid flows through conduit 43, the regulating valve unit, the conduit 25 and into the float 42, thereby displacing steam from said float whereby said float sinks downwardly. This moves the valve 41 away from valve seat 40 so that conduit 29 is placed in communication with the chamber 24. The flow regulating valve 52 is adjusted so that the effective size of the opening through which fluid flows into the conduit 25 is less than the size of the opening in the valve seat 40. Therefore, the pressure in the chamber 24 and in the conduit 25 is less than the line pressure in the conduit 9 and the inlet passage 31. Thus, the line pressure acting on the lower side of the valve 33 lifts same and places inlet passage 31 in communication with discharge passage whereby the liquid in conduit 9 is discharged. Since the pressure on the upper end of the body portion 34 is not reduced instantaneously when the condensate level rises above the inlet to coupling 44, the main valve opens gradually, thus eliminating excessive strain on the discharged piping.

When the condensate level again drops below the inlet to coupling 44, gas or vapor flows into the float 42, which rises and moves valve 41 into engagement with seat thereby closing the orifice in said valve seat. This restores line pressure on the upper end of body portion 34 and thereby moves the main valve 33 to the closed position.

The valve 38 is a one-way check valve and it prevents flow of the liquid from chamber 24 into conduit 25 which would interfere with the desired operation of the valve apparatus. However, the valve permits flow of fluid from the conduit 25 into chamber 24.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain modifications or adaptations for particular uses as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: first and second main conduits, a circulation control means comprising a first body member having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages connected respectively to said first and second main conduits, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, a

second valve body member mounted upon said first body member and constituting a closure for the valve chamber and having a vertically disposed valve guide cylinder aligned with said valve seat, said second body member having a float chamber aligned with and spaced from said valve guide cylinder member and having a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a circulation valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to the outlet passage of said first body member, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit disposed in said float chamber, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, a spring seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber with the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, and a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage in said second body member connecting said valve guide cylinder to said float chamber, the connection for said pilot pressure conduit to said first main conduit being in a plane above the plane of its connection to the said passage connecting said valve guide cylinder and said float chamber, there being an adjustable control valve unit for said pilot pressure conduit supportedly mounted on said second body member.

2. An apparatus for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: first and second main conduits;

a circulation control means comprising a first body member having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages connected respectively to said first and second main conduits, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, a second valve body member mounted upon said first body member and constituting a closure for the valve chamber and having a vertically disposed valve guide cylinder aligned with said valve seat, said second body member having a float chamber aligned with and spaced from said valve guide cylinder and having a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a circulation valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to the outlet passage of said first body member, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit disposed in said float chamber, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, a spring seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber with the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, and a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage in said second body member connecting said valve guide cylinder to said float chamber, the connection for said pilot pressure conduit to said first main conduit being in a plane above the plane of its connection to the said passage connecting said valve guide cylinder and said float chamber.

3. An apparatus for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: first and second main conduits; a circulation control means comprising a first body member having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages connected respectively to said first and second main conduits, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, a second valve body member mounted upon said first body member and constituting a closure for the valve chamber and having a vertically disposed valve guide cylinder aligned with said valve seat, said second body member having a float chamber aligned with and spaced from said valve guide cylinder and having a passage connecting said float chamber to said valve guide cylinder, a circulation valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to the discharge of said first body member, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit disposed in said float chamber, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, a spring seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber with said valve guide cylinder, and a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage in said second body member connecting said valve guide cylinder to said float chamber, the connection for said pilot pressure conduit to said first main conduit being in a plane above the plane of is connection to the said passage connecting said valve guide cylinder and said float chamber, there being an adjustable control valve unit for said pilot pressure conduit supportedly mounted on said second body member.

4. An apparatus for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: first and second main conduits; a circulation control means comprising a first body member having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages connected respectively to said first and second main conduits, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, a second valve body member mounted upon said first body member and constituting a closure for the valve chamber and having a vertically disposed valve guide cylinder aligned with said valve seat, said second body member having a float chamber aligned with and spaced from said valve guide cylinder and having a passage connecting said float chamber to said valve guide cylinder, a circulation valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to the discharge of said first body member, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit disposed in said float chamber, a float disposed in said float cham-' ber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, a spring seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber with said valve guide cylinder, and a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage in said second body member connecting said valve guide cylinder to said float chamber, the connection for said pilot pressure conduit to said first main conduit being in a plane above the plane of its connection to the said passage connecting said valve guide cylinder and said float chamber.

5. An apparatus for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: first and second main conduits; a chilling unit, a condenser unit and circulating means disposed between said chilling and condenser a circulation control valve casing having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages connected respectively to said first and second main conduits, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, the casing having a vertically disposed valve guide cylinder aligned with said valve seat and a float chamber disposed above and spaced from said valve guide cylinder and a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a circuration control valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder, and constituting a sealing means therefor, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to the outlet passage of said valve chamber, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit disposed in said float chamber, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, an automatically seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber With said valve guide cylinder, and a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage connecting said valve guide cylinder and said float chamber, and an adjustable control valve unit for said pilot pressure conduit supportedly mounted on said valve casing.

6. An apparatus for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: first and second main conduits; a circulation control valve casing having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages connected respectively to said first and second main conduits, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, the casing having a valve guide cylinder and a float chamber disposed above and spaced from said valve guide cylinder and a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a circulation control valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder and constituting a sealing means therefor, a discharge for said float chamber, a valve for said float chamber discharge, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, an automatically seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber With said valve guide cylinder, and a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage connecting said valve guide cylinder and said float chamber, and an adjustable control valveunit for said conduit.

7. An apparatus for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: first and second main conduits; a circulation control valve casing having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages connected respectively to said first and second main conduits, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, said casing having a vertically disposed valve guide cylinder aligned With said valve seat and having a float chamber disposed above and spaced from said valve guide cylinder and a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a circulation control valve recipnocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder and constituting a sealing means therefor, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to said outlet passage, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit disposed in said float chamber, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, an automatically seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber with said valve guide cylinder, and a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage connecting said valve guide cylinder and said float chamber.

8. An apparatus ifOI handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: first and second main conduits; a circulation control valve casing having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages connected respectively to said first and second main conduits, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, said casing having a valve guide cylinder and having a float chamber disposed above and spaced from said valve guide cylinder and a passage conmeeting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a circulation control valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder and constituting a' sealing means therefor, a discharge for said float chamber, a valve for said float chamber discharge, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, an automatically seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber with said valve guide cylinder, and a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage connecting said valve guide cylinder and said float chamber.

9. A valve assembly comprising a first body member having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, a second valve body member mounted upon said first body member and constituting a closure fior the valve chamber and having a vertically disposed valve guide cylinder aligned with said valve seat, said second body member having a float chamber aligned with and spaced from said valve guide cylinder of said first body member and having a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a control valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder, a discharge conduit fior said float chamber connecting it to the outlet passage of said first body member, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit disposed in said float chamber, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, a spring seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber with the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, and a first main conduit, a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage in said second body member connecting said valve guide cylinder to said float chamber, the connection for said pilot pressure conduit to said first main conduit being in a plane above the plane of its connection to the said passage connecting said valve guide cylinder and said float chamber, there being an adjustable control valve unit for said pilot pressure conduit supportedly mounted on said second body member.

10. A valve assembly comprising a first body member having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, a second valve body member mounted upon said first body member and constituting a closure for the valve chamber and having a valve guide, said second body member having a float chamber aligned with and spaced from said valve guide and having a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide, a control valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide, a discharge conduit for said float chamber, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, a spring seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber With the outer end of said valve guide,

and a first main conduit, a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage in said second body member connecting said valve guide to said float chamber, the connection for said pilot pressure conduit to said first main conduit being in a plane above the plane of its connection to the said passage connecting said valve guide and said float chamber, there being an adjustable control valve unit for said pilot pressure conduit.

11. A valve assembly comprising a first body member having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, a second valve body member mounted upon said first body member and constituting a closure for the valve chamber and having a vertically disposed valve guide cylinder aligned with said valve seat, said second body member having a float chamber aligned with and spaced from said valve guide cylinder of said first body member and having a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a control valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide cylinder, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to the outlet passage of said first body member, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit disposed in said float chamber, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, a spring seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber with the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, and a first main conduit, a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage in said second body member connecting said valve guide cylinder to said float chamber, there being an adjustable control valve unit for said pilot pressure conduit supportedly mounted on said second body member.

12. A valve assembly comprising a first body member having a valve chamber therein and inlet 'and outlet passages, there being a valve seat disposed in said valve chamber at the inner end of said inlet passage, 21 second valve body member mounted upon said first body member and constituting 'a closure for the valve chamber and having a valve guide, said second body member having a float chamber aligned with and spaced from said valve guide and having a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide, a control valve reciprocatingly disposed in said valve guide, a discharge conduit for said float chamber, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, a spring seated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber with the outer end of said valve guide, and a first main conduit, a pilot pres'sure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said passage in said second body member connecting said valve guide to said float chamber, there being an adjustable control valve unit for said pilot pressure conduit.

13. An apparatus of the class described comprising a first main conduit, valve casing having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages, said casing having a valve guide cylinder and a float chamber disposed above and spaced from said valve guide cylinder, there being a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a main valve reciprocatingly mounted in said valve guide cylinder in coacting relation to the inlet to said valve chamber, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to said outlet passage of said valve casing, a valve for said float chamber discharge conduit, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, an automatically sea-ted pressure actuated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber to said valve guide cylinder, there being a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said float chamber, 'and an adjustable control valve unit for said pilot pressure conduit supportedly mounted on said valve casing.

14. An apparatus of the class described comprising a first main conduit, a valve casing having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages, said casing having a valve guide cylinder and a float chamber disposed above and spaced from said valve guide cylinder, there being a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a main valve reciprocatingly mounted in said valve guide cylinder in coacting relation to the inlet to said valve chamber, a discharge conduit for said passage connecting said float chamber to said valve charge conduit, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, an automatically seated pressure actuated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber to said valve guide cylinder, there being a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said float chamber, and an adjustable control valve unit for said pilot pressure conduit supportedly mounted on said valve casing.

15. An apparatus of the class described comprising a first main conduit, a valve casing having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages, said casing having a valve guide cylinder and a float chamber disposed above and spaced from said valve guide cylinder, there being a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a main valve reciprocatingly mounted in said valve guide cylinder in coacting relation to the inlet to said valve chamber, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to said outlet passage of said valve casing, a valve for the float chamber discharge conduity a float disposed in said float chamber discharge conduity, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, an automatically seated pressure actuated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber to said valve guide cylinder, there being a pilot conduit connecting said first main conduit to said float chamber.

16. An apparatus of the class described comprising a first main conduit, a valve casing having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages, said casing having a valve guide cylinder and a float chamber disposed above and spaced from said valve guide cylinder, there being a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a main valve reciprocatingly mounted in said valve guide cylinder in coacting relation to the inlet to said valve chamber, discharge for the float chamber and a valve for the float chamber discharge, a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, and an automatically seated pressure actuated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber to said valve guide cylinder, there being a pilot pressure conduit connecting said first main conduit to said float chamber.

17. A valve assembly comprising a valve casing having a valve chamber therein and inlet and outlet passages, said casing having a valve guide cylinder and a float chamber disposed above and spaced from said valve guide cylinder, there being a passage connecting said float chamber to the outer end of said valve guide cylinder, a main valve reciprocatingly mounted in said valve guide cylinder in coacting relation to the inlet to said valve chamber and constituting a sealing means for said cylinder, a discharge conduit for said float chamber connecting it to said outlet passage of said valve casing, a valve for the float chamber discharge conduit a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve, and an automatically seated pressure actuated valve for said passage connecting said float chamber to said valve guide cylinder.

18. A valve apparatus especially adapted for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: a valve casing having inlet and outlet passages and a valve seat therebetween, a main valve mounted in said valve casing for movement toward and away from sealing engagement with said seat, a valve operating chamber and fluid pressure responsive means in said valve operating chamber for moving said main valve toward said seat into a closed position, a float chamber and conduit means connecting said float chamber to said valve operating chamber so that the pressures in both chambers are responsive to each other, said fioat chamber having discharge conduit means for discharging fluid to a low pressure receiver, valve means for said float chamber discharge conduit means and a float disposed in said float chamber and operatively connected to said float chamber discharge valve means, a first main conduit connected to said inlet passage and adapted for containing a fluid under pressure in gaseous condition and also in a liquid condition, and pilot pressure conduit means connecting said first main conduit to said valve operating chamber and to said float chamber so that the flow of gas from said first main conduit to said float chamber moves said float in the float chamber in a direction to close said float chamber discharge conduit means and the flow of liquid from said first main conduit to said float chamber causes said float to move in the opposite direction and thereby opens said float chamber discharge conduit means, said fluid from said first main conduit flowing through said pilot pressure conduit means also urging said main valve to a closed position, said main valve being opened when said float chamber discharge conduit means is opened.

19. A valve apparatus, especially adapted for handling large volumes of flashable fluids, comprising: a first main conduit adapted to contain a fluid under pressure and in which the fluid can become present in either a gaseous or a liquid state; a second main conduit; a valve casing having inlet and outlet passages and a valve seat therebetween, said inlet passage being connected to said first main conduit, said outlet passage being connected to said second main conduit; 21 main valve mounted in said valve casing for movement toward and away from sealing engagement with said valve seat; means defining a valve operating chamber and fluid pressure responsive means in said valve operating chamber for moving said main valve toward said seat to close said main valve; a float chamber having discharge conduit means, valve means for opening and closing said discharge conduit means and float means for operating said valve means for said discharge conduit means, said float means being responsive to the supply of gas to said float chamber for closing said discharge conduit means and being responsive to the supply of liquid to said float chamber to open said discharge conduit means; conduit means connecting said valve operating chamber to said float chamber so that the pressures in said chambers will be responsive to each other so that when said discharge conduit means is open and the pressure in said float chamber drops, a pressure drop will occur in said valve operating chamber; pilot pressure conduit means connecting said first main conduit to said float chamber and to said valve operating chamber so that gas or liquid under pressure can flow to both chambers depending on the level of the liquid in .said first main conduit, said pilot pressure conduit means including means for metering flow of the fluid from said first conduit means to said chambers so that when said discharge conduit means in said float chamber is opened, the pressure applied in said valve operating chamber to hold said main valve closed will be reduced and the main valve will be opened by the pressure in said first main conduit acting on said main valve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,880,653 10/1932 Baars 62-219 X 2,004,529 6/1935 Hillier 137-413 2,178,866 11/1939 Thomas 137-413 2,265,282 12/1941 Heinrich 137-412 X MEYER PERLIN, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3,304, 738 February 21, 1967 Adam B. Armstrong It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 49, for "cap 43" read cap 53 column 3, line 54, for "valve guide cylinder member" read valve guide cylinder column 5, line 61, for "said conduit" read said pilot pressure conduit column 8, line 9, strike out "said passage connecting said float chamber to said valve" and insert instead said float chamber, a valve for the float chamber dis line 29, strike out "her discharge conduity a float disposed in said float cham-"; line 44, for "discharge" read a discharge Signed and sealed this 7th day of November 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR., EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

17. A VALVE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A VALVE CASING HAVING A VALVE CHAMBER THEREIN AND INLET AND OUTLET PASSAGES, SAID CASING HAVING A VALVE GUIDE CYLINDER AND A FLOAT CHAMBER DISPOSED ABOVE AND SPACED FROM SAID VALVE GUIDE CYLINDER, THERE BEING A PASSAGE CONNECTING SAID FLOAT CHAMBER TO THE OUTER END OF SAID VALVE GUIDE CYLINDER, A MAIN VALVE RECIPROCATINGLY MOUNTED IN SAID VALVE GUIDE CYLINDER IN COACTING RELATION TO THE INLET TO SAID VALVE CHAMBER AND CONSTITUTING A SEALING MEANS FOR SAID CYLINDER, A DISCHARGE CONDUIT FOR SAID FLOAT CHAMBER CONNECTING IT TO SAID OUTLET PASSAGE OF SAID VALVE CASING, A VALVE FOR THE FLOAT CHAMBER DISCHARGE CONDUIT A FLOAT DISPOSED IN SAID FLOAT CHAMBER AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FLOAT CHAMBER DISCHARGE VALVE, AND AN AUTOMATICALLY SEATED PRESSURE ACTUATED VALVE FOR SAID PASSAGE CONNECTING SAID FLOAT CHAMBER TO SAID VALVE GUIDE CYLINDER. 